Dogs seized in Framingham headed to the vet today

Veterinarians this morning are scheduled to spay and neuter 21 Maltese dogs belonging to Kim LeMaire, including the 19 taken in August from the Red Roof Inn where the breeder was living in a filthy room, the Framingham Animal Control director said Wednesday.

Veterinarians this morning are scheduled to spay and neuter 21 Maltese dogs belonging to Kim LeMaire, including the 19 taken in August from the Red Roof Inn where the breeder was living in a filthy room, the Framingham Animal Control director said Wednesday.

Katherine MacKenzie said vets have set aside 12 hours to examine the dogs, which range in age from nine weeks to nine years and some of which have genetic defects including knee problems and a skull that doesn't fully close.

"Tomorrow is going to be a great day," said MacKenzie, whose department has worked for more than a month with the dogs, which were rescued when LeMaire, was taken to the hospital July 26.

MacKenzie said she is looking forward to the dogs finding loving owners.

"This has been a huge burden on the department but it’s what we need to do and it’s what we’re called to do," she said.

In addition to 19 dogs recovered from the motel, officials recovered two more from the Danforth Street home of Lisa Joy Robbins Smith, who identifies herself as LeMaire’s personal assistant.

The dogs, who had fur matted with dirt and feces, and in many cases toenails like corkscrews or loops, were meticulously groomed over the course of several days last month.

Once vets examine the dogs and issue health certificates, they can be adopted by people, including more than 10 customers who say they paid LeMaire $900 deposits.

MacKenzie warned the dogs may have other health issues beyond the congenital defects.

"Who knows what other issues these dogs will have in the future. We cannot make any guarantee on these dogs beyond what we will know when the vets examine them," she said.

Those unknowns, meanwhile, are causing several customers who paid deposits to reconsider adopting them.

At least two women who paid deposits have changed their minds because of the dogs’ health problems. Jean Callahan, of Mashpee, emailed MacKenzie this week to say she no longer wants a puppy.

"There just are too many health issues for me to deal with nor do I wish to bring a potentially unhealthy pup to my home along with my 14-year-old bichon (frise) who is the love of my life," Callahan wrote.

Josephine Sarnelli, of Westfield, who paid deposits for two dogs and has been coordinating with other customers, Wednesday said she is also worried the dogs could have liver shunts, because several dogs purchased from LeMaire in the past had that condition.

MacKenzie said the dogs will not be given a bile acid test, which tests for liver shunts.

Sarnelli also said she is concerned the puppies could be spayed or neutered too young and has asked that adopters be allowed to bring the dogs back in a few weeks to have the procedure then.

Page 2 of 2 -
"We’re all fairly concerned about the age of the puppies at this point," Sarnelli said.

MacKenzie said Tufts vets have expertise to determine if the dogs meet weight requirements for the procedure.

"The animal’s best interest is our best interest. We do not want to see any of these dogs harmed in any way," she said.

MacKenzie said three foster families, coordinated through the Medfield Animal Shelter, have been caring for three mother dogs and their puppies. That shelter, along with the Animal Rescue League of Boston, will facilitate adoptions, she said.

"The people that did the foster care should really be commended because they took in mother dogs not house broken, not well socialized, and all the puppies," MacKenzie said.

The dogs have been quarantined by the state until they have health certificates.

What if a vet determines that a dog is not healthy?

"We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it," MacKenzie said.

She said adopters will have to pay a fee to cover vet expenses.

Contact Laura Krantz at 508-626-4429 or lkrantz@wickedlocal.com. Follow her in Twitter @laurakrantz.